“I just want to say thank you to all of you guys for this. You guys are the reason that we are getting this, because of the huge year that we’ve had together. But like Coach said, we’re not finished yet.”
That was Philadelphia Union captain Jakob Glesnes’ message to his teammates when it was revealed that he and fellow defender Kai Wagner had earned MLS Best XI honors, voted on by MLS club technical staff, media, and active players in the league.
The pair was selected for the second time in their respective careers, this time following a historic season that saw the team lift the Supporters’ Shield at home for a second time and set a club record for the most wins throughout the regular season.
“It's a huge honor. Again, it’s because the team has been doing well over the season that me and Kai have been the lucky ones to get the awards, but there’s a lot of guys in this locker room that deserve that as well. Me and Kai are the lucky ones, but of course, I'm really grateful for that,” Glesnes said.
The league's Defender of the Year winner in 2022, Glesnes returned to best-in-class form after recovering from a sports hernia surgery during the 2023 offseason. With commitment to his health, his craft, and his team’s goals under new Head Coach Bradley Carnell, the veteran centerback anchored a backline that grew to become one of the best in MLS.
“There were some tough years. Last year, I wasn't sure if I was ever going to come back to where I am today. I'm really happy about that, and this is a big honor too for the guys in the treatment rooms that have been helping me,” Glesnes said.
“Also to my wife and my family that have been helping me through the tough times. We are really happy that we are standing here today and that we can get an award like this, and also that the team is doing so well.”
Season six in Philadelphia has been a special one for Glesnes; across 2626 minutes and 31 games played, the 31-year-old Norwegian recorded 30 clearances, helping his team hold their opponents to a league-low of 35 goals against, secure 14 clean sheets, and win 20 matches to earn the Boys in Blue the best overall record in Major League Soccer. He did so while serving as a reliable leader and consumate professional within a rotating backline that often featured multiple first-year first teamers.
"You forget how young they are. I've said it so many times with [Olwethu] Makanya, how fantastic he has been the whole year. When I say there are other guys in there that deserve this, he is, of course, one of them. Also Frankie [Westfield], coming up here taking the opportunity from day one and killing it," Glesnes said of his backline.
"We saw it already in the preseason, that these were two guys that were going to have fun this year, and they haven't been looking back at all. You also have Nate [Harriel] – we can't forget him as well. He's not that young anymore, but he's not old either, and he has been fantastic. But then again, like I said, like the whole team, how we have been doing over the year, is the reason that we are standing now with awards after the season."
2025 has been year of both team and personal success for Glesnes, and one that also brought about a new contract that will keep him and his family in Philly through the next two seasons, with an option for 2028.
“When we were talking about this in the summer, we were so lucky and so happy that we were getting an agreement for the future as well. I have a family here that we have been raising here in Philly, and when they get older, they will probably say that they are Philly boys,” Glesnes laughed.
“It is huge for me and for my family to be around this fantastic club and what we are doing and to be a part of that. So I can't wait for the future as well.”
